PPL Montana and its employees have made their caring count by pledging more than $99,000 to the United Way of Yellowstone County and earning a spot on the agency's corporate- and employee-giving "honor rolls."

The company’s employees are second in employee giving, pledging more than $68,000 for 2005, while the company leads corporate contributors with its pledge of nearly $31,000.

"We are extremely proud of our support to the United Way and all that the agency does to make life better for the people of Yellowstone County," said Brad Spencer, vice president and chief operating officer of PPL Montana.

Across the state, PPL Montana and its employees have pledged to donate more than $122,000 to United Way agencies. Employees also volunteer thousands of hours each year in support of local organizations and community projects.

"Our employees care about making a difference not just at work, but in their local communities and neighborhoods," said Spencer. "They understand that the impact of their contributions extends beyond a dollar value, reaching into homes, schools and other areas of the community to encourage, comfort and inspire those in need."

In addition to the money the company has pledged to the United Way in 2005, the PPL Montana Community Fund will award $200,000 in grants this year to support initiatives focusing on education, the environment and economic development in the state.

PPL Montana has offices in Billings, Butte and Helena. With about 500 employees, the company operates the coal-fired Colstrip and Corette power plants and 11 hydroelectric facilities along Rosebud Creek and the Missouri, Flathead, Clark Fork and Madison rivers. PPL EnergyPlus, another PPL subsidiary, operates an energy-trading floor in Butte that markets and sells power in the wholesale energy market. More information is available at www.pplmontana.com.